The Nissan Leaf electric vehicle (EV) may live to see another generation. A Nissan official told reporters at a vehicle showcase event this week that “the Leaf is here to stay.”
The comment, from Nissan’s director of EV marketing and sales strategy Aditya Jairaj, contradicted earlier statements by other Nissan executives. Nissan’s European head of operations told reporters last year that the Leaf would disappear from the automaker’s lineup “around 2025.”
But plans change. The Leaf is one of a small number of electric vehicles that still qualify for the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit after recent changes to the law.
Automakers must build their EVs in North America in order for buyers to qualify for the credit. Nissan builds many Leaves (Editor: Come on, you know we have to write “Leafs.” Proper name and all. I know how it sounds) fine, LEAFs in Tennessee.
With its $28,040 starting price, the 2023 Leaf is one of the least expensive EVs in America. On paper, the $25,600 2023 Chevy Bolt EV seems less expensive. But, according to the IRS, the Bolt does not currently qualify for the federal discount.
Jairaj’s statement, however, doesn’t rule out that the next-generation Leaf could change. Another Nissan spokesperson at the same event told MSNBC, “With time, design evolves.”
Nissan has a second EV headed to dealerships soon. The 2023 Nissan Ariya SUV will start at $43,190 and offer up to 304 miles of range.
